An injury-riddled New York Knicks were one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals last season. During the offseason, the front office made sure to improve the roster to compete for a title in 2024-25.

Jalen Brunson took a major pay cut that allowed the Knicks to go out and make big-time moves on the trade market. Now, there are legitimate championship hopes in the Big Apple.

Let’s get into it.

New York Knicks 2024-25 Season Preview

Key Additions: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Pacome Dadiet, Cam Payne, Landry Shamet, Tyler Kolek

Key Losses: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks

It was a busy offseason for the Knicks. It began in free agency by letting Isaiah Hartenstein walk. This allowed the team to give OG Anunoby a five-year, $212.5 million contract. Jalen Brunson also extended his deal for $156.5 million. The roster was far from finished.

The first trade came when the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. This completed the Villanova trend in NYC but it lost a member months later. New York packaged Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. Now, on paper, the Knicks have one of the best rosters in the league ready to attack the year.

Potential Rotation

PG: Jalen Brunson

SG: Josh Hart

SF: Mikal Bridges

PF: OG Anunoby

C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Bench: Deuce McBride, Cam Payne, Landry Shamet, Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims, Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet

The addition of Mikal Bridges was a no-brainer for the Knicks and it played on the heartstrings of Knicks’ fans. Bridges was the final piece of the Villanova puzzle and he was acquired in the offseason. When Towns came over, it sent away one piece in DiVincenzo but it made the rotation far better.

The Knicks did not have a true presence down low. Mitchell Robinson has struggled with injuries and it is unknown when he will return. He did not provide an offensive presence but was a true rim protector. Now, Towns brings a seven-footer who can stretch the floor offensively. Towns shoots the three at a 40% clip and can score from the block as well. This allows the Knicks to space the floor. Towns also has more size than Randle and is a better scorer at all three levels.

New York prioritized Anunoby in the offseason. The Knicks did not lose many games when he was in the lineup but there is always risk of injury. The duo of Anunoby and Bridges gives the Knicks one of the best perimeter-defensive duos in the league.

What Is The Ceiling?

Brunson has turned into a true superstar in the league, which was not expected when he initially signed in free agency. There are now other stars around him coming off a successful season ending in the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The ceiling for the Knicks is a championship. The tone around the Knicks has now changed. They are no longer the spunky team looking to take the next step. This is a team that will have to compete for a title right away.

Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Boston Celtics

Knicks Win Total: 54.5